Is the Pollution within your vehicle Killing you?

Indoor air pollution is extensively researched. There have also been reports of the effect of indoor air pollution on health. Have you ever thought about the air pollutants in your car cabin, though? Owing to the congested roads and traffic jams, you get to spend a lot of time within the car cabin. The polluted air in car cabins can cause a lot of damage to your respiratory system. Children are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution in car cabins. In this blog, let's analyze in-car air pollution step by step and how a car air purifier can keep you healthy. Keep reading.

What Causes in-Car Air Pollution?

It doesn't matter if you have a new or an old car; there is always some smell in the cabin of the car. You smell TVOCs and PFAS in your car that make the strange greasy mist inside the windshield. Your car cabin can have a blend of over 40 toxic gases and chemicals like harmful benzene or formaldehyde.

TVOCs & PFAS is among the primary indoor air pollutants that cause a majority of health issues. TVOCs & PFAS in your vehicle cabin exists in the vehicle foam in the seats, carpeting, dashboard, or adhesive used in the car to hold things in place. In addition to TVOCs & PFAS, particulate matter emitted from car brakes and aromatic hydrocarbons from interior components can contribute to several health issues. Odors of cigarette smoke and other sources also cause in-car air pollution.

🧍♂️ 1. PFAS / Plasticizer Vapors (from seat foam, coatings, etc.)

• Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP)
• Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine — trace

🚗 2. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs)

Sources: Plastics, foams, paints, glues, leather, gasoline vapors, etc.
Common examples:

• Benzene
• Toluene
• Ethylbenzene
• Xylene
• Formaldehyde
• Acetaldehyde
• Acetone
• Methanol
• Ethanol
• Isopropanol
• Butanol
• Styrene
• Hexane
• Heptane
• Octane
• Cyclohexane

👉 These are the most commonly found gases (VOCs) inside cars.

⚗️ 3. Combustion Byproducts (from fuel/engine exhaust)

Sources: Engine exhaust, nearby vehicles, garages.
Common examples:

• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Nitric oxide (NO)
• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Dioxins, Furans (in small quantities)

☣️ 4. Greenhouse & Oxidizing Gases

Sources: Infiltration from city air, tire/engine heat, etc.
Common examples:

• Ozone (O₃)
• Methane (CH₄)
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O) — trace level

🧪 5. Sulfur Compounds (malodorous gases)

Sources: Road exhaust, rubber, fuel additives, exhaust leaks.
Common examples:

• Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
• Carbon disulfide (CS₂)
• Dimethyl sulfide (DMS)
• Methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH)

💨 6. Nitrogen & Ammonia Series

Sources: Exhaust gases, indoor air feed, reactions between skin and fabrics.
Common examples:

• Ammonia (NH₃)
• Methylamine (CH₃NH₂)
• Dimethylamine ((CH₃)₂NH)

🧴 7. Halogenated Compounds (from car detailing/cleaning products)

Common examples:

• Dichloromethane
• Trichloroethylene
• Tetrachloroethylene
• Chloroform
• Vinyl chloride (trace in exhaust fumes)

⚙️ 8. Acidic Gases (from exhaust vapors)

Common examples:

• Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
• Nitric acid vapor (HNO₃)
• Sulfuric acid vapor (H₂SO₄)

❌ Gas categories usually NOT found inside cars:

• Heavy metals & organometallics
• Radioactive gases
• Nerve agents / warfare gases
• Rare or exotic fluorides (BF₃, WF₆, etc.)
  

Some of the usual sources of car air pollution are:

• Odors
  
• Pet dander
  
• Cigarette smoke
  
• Dust, mold, pollen, and bacteria

🚗 40 Major Toxic Gases Commonly Found Inside Cars & Suitable Filter Media

No.	Toxic Gas	Category	Effective Filters/Media	Main Removal Mechanism
1	Benzene	VOC	13X, 5A, Activated Carbon (AC)	Adsorption
2	Toluene	VOC	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
3	Ethylbenzene	VOC	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
4	Xylene	VOC	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
5	Formaldehyde	VOC	4A, 13X, AC–KMnO₄	Oxidation to CO₂ & H₂O
6	Acetaldehyde	VOC	4A, 13X, AC–KMnO₄	Oxidation
7	Acetone	VOC	5A, 13X, AC	Adsorption
8	Methanol	VOC	3A, 4A, AC	Adsorption (small pore)
9	Ethanol	VOC	3A, 4A, AC	Adsorption
10	Isopropanol	VOC	3A, 4A, AC	Adsorption
11	Butanol	VOC	5A, 13X, AC	Adsorption
12	Styrene	VOC	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
13	Hexane	VOC	5A, 13X, AC	Adsorption
14	Heptane	VOC	5A, 13X, AC	Adsorption
15	Octane	VOC	5A, 13X, AC	Adsorption
16	Cyclohexane	VOC	5A, 13X, AC	Adsorption
17	Carbon monoxide (CO)	Combustion	13X, AC–CuO	Chemisorption/oxidation to CO₂
18	Nitric oxide (NO)	Combustion	13X, AC–Fe₂O₃	Catalytic oxidation
19	Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)	Combustion	13X, AC–KOH	Reduction / neutralization
20	Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)	Combustion	13X, 4A, AC–KI	Reduction to sulfate
21	Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)	Sulfur	13X, 4A, AC–ZnO	Conversion to ZnS
22	Carbon disulfide (CS₂)	Sulfur	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
23	Dimethyl sulfide (DMS)	Sulfur	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
24	Methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH)	Sulfur	13X, 4A, AC–CuO	Chemisorption (Cu–S bond)
25	Ammonia (NH₃)	Nitrogen	3A, 4A, AC–H₃PO₄	Acid–base neutralization
26	Methylamine (CH₃NH₂)	Nitrogen	3A, 4A, AC	Adsorption
27	Dimethylamine ((CH₃)₂NH)	Nitrogen	3A, 4A, AC	Adsorption
28	Dichloromethane	Halogenated	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
29	Trichloroethylene	Halogenated	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
30	Tetrachloroethylene	Halogenated	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
31	Chloroform	Halogenated	13X, 5A, AC–Ag	Chemisorption (Ag–Cl complex)
32	Vinyl chloride	Halogenated	13X, 5A, AC	Adsorption
33	Hydrochloric acid vapor (HCl)	Acidic	13X, 4A, AC	Neutralization
34	Nitric acid vapor (HNO₃)	Acidic	13X, 4A	Adsorption & neutralization
35	Sulfuric acid vapor (H₂SO₄)	Acidic	13X, 4A	Adsorption
36	Ozone (O₃)	Oxidizer	13X, AC–MnO₂	Catalytic decomposition
37	Methane (CH₄)	Greenhouse	5A, 13X	Adsorption (limited)
38	Nitrous oxide (N₂O)	Greenhouse	5A, AC	Physical adsorption
39	Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP)	PFAS	13X, Activated Alumina, AC	Adsorption & surface reaction
40	Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine	PFAS	13X, Activated Alumina, AC	Adsorption

⚙️ Filter Synergy Summary

Filter Material	Main Function	Removable Gas Categories
HEPA Filter	Particle filtration (PM2.5, dust, pollen)	No direct gas removal; must be combined with gas adsorber
Impregnated Activated Carbon (AC)	Adsorption + Chemisorption	TVOCs, NOx, SO₂, Cl₂, H₂S, CO, aldehydes
Activated Alumina (AA)	Acidic / HF-type gas adsorption	HF, PFAS, HCl, acid vapors
Zeolites 3A / 4A / 5A / 13X	Size-selective molecular sieving	TVOCs, NH₃, CH₄, CO₂, moisture control
Few Metal Oxides : KMnO₄ / CuO / ZnO / Fe₂O₃ Impregnations	Oxidation / Neutralization	CO, H₂S, NH₃, aldehydes, NOx

✅ Best Multi-Layer Combination for Car Purifier (Practical Setup)

(1) APHEPA Filter → (2) Activated Carbon (with metal oxides) → (3) Natural Zeolites and Molecular Sieves 3A,4A,5A,13X Layer → (4) Activated Alumina Layer

👉 This combination can remove PFAS / Plasticizer Vapors (from seat foam, coatings, etc.) + Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) + Combustion Byproducts (from fuel/engine exhaust) + Greenhouse & Oxidizing Gases + Sulfur Compounds (malodorous gases) + Nitrogen & Ammonia Series + Halogenated Compounds (from car detailing/cleaning products) + Acidic Gases (from exhaust vapors) up to 99.9% inside the car.

Best solution for above car air pollution is PlantOrigen Plant Based Car Air Purifier : Our Product Is Patented Formula And Govt Of India Approved Product. www.plantorigen.com

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Why is Air Pollution Inside Car More Hazardous Than Outside?

Air pollution within a car cabin is high since they inhale the emissions from around them and then circulate them within the car cabin. Actually, half of the pollutants in the cars are from the immediately preceding vehicles. Concentrations of certain air pollutants and poisonous chemicals are nearly a decade higher within the cars and the air quality in general is fifteen times poorer. There is an easy passage of the pollutants through air vents and other openings in the vehicle. Traffic intersections both in urban and suburban areas have higher air pollutants, according to the Atmospheric Environment. Some of them include:

Stopping at red lights increases air pollution exposure
Traffic signals have approximately 29 times higher concentration of particulate matter as compared to open roads
Passing through intersections accounted for 25 percent of pollution exposure
Air pollution is quite high at intersections as drivers tend to accelerate, decelerate and idle their vehicles.

How Does it Affect Children?
Since kids usually stay in the car's back seat, they are more susceptible to the damaging effects of on-road air pollution. The car fans draw in the exhaust or fumes emitted from a lorry or car behind you. This impacts the not-so-developed lungs of kids and they become susceptible to the higher risk of sensitization that causes asthma and respiratory issues. According to a Barcelona study, car pollution also impairs the capacity of children to focus and also decreases the speed of their reaction.

How Bad is In-car Air Pollution?
Research has established that the air quality within your car cabin can be 5 times worse than in your home or workplace. In-car pollution can cause a variety of health issues. If you feel headache, nausea, or sore throat whenever you travel in your car, it is a sign of in-car air pollution. In-car air exposure continuously may also induce cancer and immune system disorders. Besides that, where you reside also raises the health effects of in-car air pollution. In other instances, children can also be at risk of getting damaged DNA due to in-car air pollution.

5 Simple and Surefire steps to enhance the air quality in your Car
Below are some simple and surefire steps to enhance the air quality in your car.

• Use a Hybrid System Car Air Purifier (Not a Standard Car Air Purifier)
  
• Keep a Safe Distance From Cars
  
• Avoid Under Rated Synthetic Car Air Fresheners (Make use of a IFRA Certified Car Air Fresheners)
  
• Close the Windows
  
• Keep Your Car Clean

1. Use a Hybrid System Car Air Purifier
One of the effective means of handling in-car air pollution is through the utilization of a hybrid system car air purifier. APHEPA + Impregnated Activated carbon + Natural Zeolites + Molecular Sieves + Plant Nanolites filtration car air purifiers are well suited to remove 40 toxic harmful gases, chemicals and odors in the indoor air. The air purifiers also include carbon filters, plant nanolites, plant membranes which improved 100x times performance when compared to the normal existing technology used in the car cabin. The good thing about the car air cleaners is they do not need monthly sun recharge and they last 1.5 years.

We Use Patented Formula And Govt Of India Approved Product.

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2. Keep a Safe Distance from Cars
A majority of the air contaminants are from the car in front of you. Therefore, ensure you have a safe distance from cars when you are at an intersection, especially if there is a truck or a bus waiting in front of you.

3. Do Not Use Under Rated Synthetic Car Air Fresheners
Deodorizers or air fresheners make your car smell nice; however, these are a germ repository and source of toxic TVOCs. TVOCs make the car cabin air quality deteriorate.

Instead of using under rated synthetic car air freshener, you can use Natural Plant Based Car Air Fresheners

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4. Close the Windows
Ensure you close your vehicle windows and set your air recirculate when you are stopped at a traffic signal (particularly traffic lights).

5. Keep Your Car Clean
Contaminants in the car get mixed with the dust particles. While breathing in such polluted air, one develops respiratory issues. It is because of this that one needs to make the car clean and dust-free.

Conclusion 

Though indoor air pollution is something for which a lot of people are worried and aware, many among us overlook the environment inside the car cabin. Since you are spending plenty of time in the car, you have to install an air purifier to breathe safely. PlantOrigen Plant Based Hybrid Sys Car Air Purifiers gives extremely efficient car cabin air purifiers that efficiently eliminate 40 toxic gases, chemicals & odors from indoor air. To know more about PlantOrigen Plant Based Hybrid Sys Car Air Purifiers, go to Our Patented Formula And Govt Of India Approved Product. https://www.plantorigen.com

To learn more about indoor air pollution read our inside story.